The 12 Hindu Lunar Months
The Hindu lunar year runs across twelve masas, from Chaitra in spring to Phalguna at winter's end. Each month carries its own season, presiding deity and cluster of festivals - and, being lunar, falls on shifting Gregorian dates each year.
1Chaitraचैत्र
SeasonVasanta (spring)Presiding DeityVishnu / the new yearKnown ForHindu new year; spring begins
2Vaishakhaवैशाख
SeasonVasanta (spring)Presiding DeityVishnu (Madhava)Known ForAkshaya Tritiya & charity
3Jyeshthaज्येष्ठ
SeasonGrishma (summer)Presiding DeityGanga & SavitriKnown Forpeak summer; water vows
4Ashadhaआषाढ
SeasonGrishma (summer)Presiding DeityVishnu (in yoga-nidra)Known Formonsoon; Chaturmas begins
5Shravanaश्रावण
SeasonVarsha (monsoon)Presiding DeityShivaKnown ForShiva's holy month
6Bhadrapadaभाद्रपद
SeasonVarsha (monsoon)Presiding DeityGaneshaKnown ForGanesh Chaturthi & Pitru Paksha
7Ashwinआश्विन
SeasonSharad (autumn)Presiding DeityDurga (the Devi)Known ForNavratri & Dussehra
8Kartikaकार्तिक
SeasonSharad (autumn)Presiding DeityVishnu (Damodara) & LakshmiKnown ForDiwali & the festival of lamps
9Margashirshaमार्गशीर्ष
SeasonHemanta (pre-winter)Presiding DeityKrishna & DattatreyaKnown ForKrishna's favourite month
10Paushaपौष
SeasonHemanta (pre-winter)Presiding DeitySurya (the Sun)Known Fordeep winter; Makar Sankranti
11Maghaमाघ
SeasonShishira (winter)Presiding DeitySurya & SaraswatiKnown Forholy bathing; Vasant Panchami
12Phalgunaफाल्गुन
SeasonShishira (winter)Presiding DeityShiva & the play of HoliKnown ForMaha Shivratri & Holi